January 23, 2009
  Queens Theatre-in-the-Park Continues Spirit of Philip Johnson’s Cylindrical Geometries
New York City-based Caples Jefferson Architects designed the new $20 million Queens Theatre-in-the-Park, a multi-theater and event venue now complete at the site of the 1964 World's Fair grounds in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, N.Y. The Queens Theatre-in-the-Park honors Philip Johnson’s circular geometries of the1964 World’s Fair New York State Pavilion, which included three observation towers, an elliptical plaza, and the now-converted drum-shaped New York State Theaterama. A new cylindrical, glass structure has been added to flank the existing theaterama and houses a 600-person reception center, 90-patron cabaret, back-stage basement, catering kitchen, and management offices. The Theatre-in-the-Park will be a venue for performances, festivals, and events. Caples Jefferson Architects was awarded first prize by the Queens Chamber of Commerce for design excellence on the project.

Council on Tall Buildings Rewards Sustainability in 2008 Skyscrapers
Amid a breaking wave of international development, sustainability keeps high rises relevant
This year’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Best Tall Building Awards focused on sustainable projects. It selected KPF’s Shanghai World Financial Center as the best tall building in 2008 and honored William Baker of SOM with the Fazlur Rahman Khan Medal and Cesar Pelli with the Lynne S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award.

UC Berkeley School of Law’s Library Addition Sits Lightly and Gives Back What It Takes Away
Ratcliff’s underground pavilion does its best to maintain public amenities and green spaces on a tight site
The South Pavilion addition to the Berkeley School of Law Library, Berkeley, Calif., offers a rooftop garden and screening system to replace the public amenity and green space consumed by its construction. Similarly, most of the building is placed underground to reduce the footprint of the building. From bottom to top, the building becomes lighter and more open, eventually becoming an ephemeral pavilion that steps gently on its site.

 

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Welcome to the Design Zone
Here is where you will find our weekly Project Watch, short vignettes on notable projects in this country and abroad. The Design Zone is also where you will find coverage of awards programs, including the national Honor Awards as well as state and local component awards.